Sports Science to determine the real greatest athete ever

[dbirds]

Beginning Thursday 10/18, ESPN's Sports Science will run a 4 month program where they determine the "real" greatest athlete of all-time. Not the greatest players as most lists do. You can listen to the podcast below - they are not looking at accomplishments but true athleticism.
They are choosing 5 athletes from each sport with 16 sports represented. They are having at least 1 wild card category and they don't mention women so I am assuming they are not included.
I was wondering which 5 they will choose from track. Here are my guesses (remember this is a US based survey so I'm sure at least 3 of the 5 will be Americans.
1. Carl Lewis - has to be there
2. Jim Thorpe - they have to have at least one decathlete. If Thorpe is in another category (maybe multi-sport or something) then pick between Mathias, O'Brien, Jenner and Rafer.
3. Usain Bolt - huge and popular, may not pick current athlete though
4. Sergey Bubka - he is a foreigner but pole vaulters are great all-around athletes and they have all sprinters
5. Jesse Owens - I am sure they want a historical figure although they must decide to not have 3 sprinters here.

Others to consider: if they have women, JJK is a lock. Nehemiah and Bob Hayes both played football and they surely will like the versatility. I wouldn't Edwin Moses (or Bade Didrikson if choose 2 women) out either. They could go with a current decathlete and take O'Brien or Clay (I would say Daley or Roman but once again, this is ESPN). Any other thoughts??



http://frontrow.espn.go.com/2012/10/fro ... -all-time/

[Conor Dary]

Re: Sports Science to determine the real greatest athete eve

Why not a Sherpa who can do Base Camp to the summit of Everest in 20 hours without supplemental oxygen? I would like to see Usain Bolt try that.

[Marlow]

Re: Sports Science to determine the real greatest athete eve

ESPN's Sports Science will run a 4 month program where they determine the "real" greatest athlete of all-time.

That may be one of the silliest things I've ever read here.
So much for "Facts, Not Fiction" as the board motto . . . :roll:

[dbirds]

Re: Sports Science to determine the real greatest athete eve

Why not a Sherpa who can do Base Camp to the summit of Everest in 20 hours without supplemental oxygen? I would like to see Usain Bolt try that.

I think it's safe to say Bolt is a much better athlete than any Sherpa

Marlow, I'm skeptical myself but willing to check it out

[gh]

Re: Sports Science to determine the real greatest athete eve

people, please be prepared to discover that few of our people are listed. This is ESPN after all.

[dbirds]

Re: Sports Science to determine the real greatest athete eve

the way that I understand it is that each sport will have 5 athletes and fans will vote on 1 so 16 different sports will represented in the final bracket. I have to think that the track athlete that is chosen will fare pretty well. I would guess top 4 but we will see.

[Marlow]

Re: Sports Science to determine the real greatest athete eve

I have to think that the track athlete that is chosen will fare pretty well. I would guess top 4 but we will see.

I wouldn't place Bolt in our Top 20 men. He's a ridiculously fast runner, but an athlete is much more than a one-note singer. I have JIm Thorpe a smidge ahead of Ashton Eaton. Carl Lewis is way up there too. Multiple Mac too. Bubka certainly.

[Daisy]

Re: Sports Science to determine the real greatest athete eve

So much for "Facts, Not Fiction" as the board motto . . . :roll:

What does that have to do with ESPN? Nothing, as we know too well.

[kuha]

Re: Sports Science to determine the real greatest athete eve

So great to know that this question will finally be answered, with absolute scientific precision.

:lol:

[jazzcyclist]

Re: Sports Science to determine the real greatest athete eve

people, please be prepared to discover that few of our people are listed. This is ESPN after all.

Don't be such a pessimist. When ESPN chose the 50 greatest athletes, they did include seven track & field athletes, including four of the top 12.

[jazzcyclist]

Re: Sports Science to determine the real greatest athete eve

I have to think that the track athlete that is chosen will fare pretty well. I would guess top 4 but we will see.

I wouldn't place Bolt in our Top 20 men. He's a ridiculously fast runner, but an athlete is much more than a one-note singer. I have JIm Thorpe a smidge ahead of Ashton Eaton. Carl Lewis is way up there too. Multiple Mac too. Bubka certainly.

I'm with you. The fact that Bolt can't carry the baton with his left hand makes me doubtful of his overall athletic ability. There are four active football players who I suspect have enough athletic ability to have surpassed Ashton Eaton's WR if they had chosen track & field over football.

• Tony Gonzales
  Julius Peppers
  Calvin Johnson
  Robert Griffin III

[Marlow]

Re: Sports Science to determine the real greatest athete eve

There are four active football players who I suspect have enough athletic ability to have surpassed Ashton Eaton's WR if they had chosen track & field over football.
Robert Griffin III

Can't argue with that.
I always thought Junior Seau was 9000 pts waiting to happen.

[Pego]

Re: Sports Science to determine the real greatest athete eve

So great to know that this question will finally be answered, with absolute scientific precision.

:lol:

Right. Can't wait for the scientific methodology.

[dbirds]

Re: Sports Science to determine the real greatest athete eve

I've seen video of Bolt reverse dunking a basketball. He is also reportedly a good soccer and cricket player. Somehow I forgot Eaton - he should be included!

[jazzcyclist]

Re: Sports Science to determine the real greatest athete eve

I've seen video of Bolt reverse dunking a basketball.

I would assume that anyone who is 6'5" and can run a 100 in under 11.0s can dunk a basketball pretty easily. How well can he shoot a basketball?

He is also reportedly a good soccer and cricket player.

I'd like to see him throw the javelin or high jump.